Improvement in cracker-machines



i l" I -3Sheets--Sheet3. A.. @311. EXTON. Cracker-Machine.

N0. 164,157.. PatentedJune8,l875-.

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WITNESSES:

' WM I m a For av/AM THE GRAPHIC C0,P HOT0-LlTH.398 41 PARK PLAGEJLY.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEIc ADAM EXTON AND JOHN EXTON, OF TRENTON, NEWJEEsEv.

IMPROVEMENT INCRACKER-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 64.157, dated June'8, 1875 application filed November 30, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ADAM EXTON and JOHN EXTON, of Trenton, in thecounty of Mercer and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Cracker-Molding Machines, of which the following is aspecification This invention relates to an improved cracker-moldingmachine. The basis of the claims is the mechanism whereby the crackersare conveyed or fed to the 'docker, and cleared from the table uponwhich the molding process is completed, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation.Figure 2, Sheet 2, is a sectional elevation. Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is asection of Fig. 2 taken on the line as 00. Fig. Fig. 4, Sheet 3, is avertical section of Fig. 2 taken on the line 3 y.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

We show in the drawing the oppositely-reciprocating grooved plates,whereby the moldin g process is completed, although these form thesubject of Letters Patent already granted to Adam Exton. We likewisereserve certain parts of the mechanism for separate Letters Patent,particularly the means of feeding the molded crackers to the verticalconductingtubes, the combined feeding, docking, and finishing devices,and the chute by which the crackers are delivered into the pan ready tobe transferred to the oven.

We will, in the present case, describe the machine generally-that is tosay, we include in the description all the parts necessary to itsoperation.

A is the actuating or driving shaft of the machine. The wheel B on thisshaft meshes into the wheel 0, which transfers the motion to the upperwheel D and the lower wheel E. F is the shaft of the wheel D, on each ofthe ends of which is a crank, D, from the wrists of which. cranks extendbars G on the outsides of the machine, which are attached to the uppermolding plate H. I is the lower molding-plate, which is given areciprocating movement from the shaft of the lower wheel E, on the endof which are two cranks, J, from which extend rods K for giving amovement to correspond with that of the upper plate H, but in a contrarydirection. The

dough is rolled into balls between these moldon it, which push the balls'of dough (which 'fall from the molding-plates between the upright bars0) into the upright tubes P. There are three of these upright tubes, andthe lower ends of the two outer tubes are spread from the middle one,for the purpose of separating the balls which drop down through thetubes onto the sliding board Q. R is the rollingcylinder. This cylinderis given an alternatin g motion back and forth on the sliding flutedboard Q, by which the balls of dough are given the desired form andshape. The fluted board Q is given a reciprocating motion by means ofthe rods S, which rods extend from cranks on the ends of an interiorcrank-shaft T, and act with the sliding pusher U. This pusher U pushesthe balls of dough forward to the rolling-cylinder, when the board Qmoves forward, and turns the roller B by means of racks or cogs V on itssides, and .pinion W on the ends of the roller. The pusher U is givenmotion by the rod U. The reciprocating motion of the board Q (caused bythe rod Q) imparts (by means of the racks and pinions) an alternatingmovement of the roller to crush and give the balls the desired shape.When the table Q moves forward, the sweep Y is raised to clear thecrackers, and lowered again when the table begins its reverse movementto push the crackers off the end of the table down the hinged inclinedchute or slide a, which slide delivers them into the pan 1), which panis carried forward by the revolving belt 0. The sweep-bar Y is at tachedto arms on the shaft 01 (see Fig. 3) by means of elbows c. The shaft isgiven a rocking motion by means of the adjustable rod f, Fig. 2, bymeans of the cam g and cam-frame h. cis the revolving apron or belt,which is given an intermittent motion by means of the ratchet j,pawl-bar k, and connecting-bar I, Fig. l. The inclined slide a is hungon pivots 2. The combination of the tubes P, (when arranged asdescribed,) the pusher U, board or table Q,sweep Y, and roller 1%, in acracker or biscuit machine, for the purposes described.

ADAM EXTON. JOHN EXTON.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS O. LOWTHORP, J r., LEWIS HELLER.

